An anonymous American donor has stepped forward to fund the establishment of Fiji’s second Centre for Disease Control (CDC) laboratory in Nadi.
Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said the donor reached out to World Health Organization representatives in Fiji and offered to help Government in its efforts to combat the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“WHO, our very close development partner, came to us with this offer from an American philanthropist and millionaire who were very pleased with the work that we have been doing so far,” he said.
“When the offer came, we were in talks to set up a CDC in Nadi and when they heard, they offered to pay for it.
“So this person, and we don’t even know who they are, is paying for a lab in Nadi, co-ordinated by WHO.
“The lab will be fully equipped and they have offered to also provide support for our staff.”
Dr Waqainabete said the ministry remained focused on its efforts to strengthen capacity at borders.
“As a Government we want to continue to increase our capacity that we have around Nadi.
“As you are aware, we have a presence in Namaka and the airport where we have our health inspectors and our Nadi subdivisional teams.
“They have their particular interests and specialisations around border health and that is something that we have been building on and we will continue to strengthen.”
